Thursday, March 29, 2007

If you love chunky and funky...I know you'll enjoy this Brass Ring and Faux Stone project sheet just made available online from AMACO. To see the full PDF version click here. This project features a variety of AMACO products along with the bead rollers.

For those of you who enjoy memory crafts that are a "little "out of the box", then you won't want to miss the Princess Diaries project. Again featuring a variety of products from AMACO (ArtEmboss metals) in combination with wooden purses from Judy's Stone House Designs.

Judy and I won the Innovations "BEST OF SHOW" award at CHA Winter 2006 for our combination of her purses and my mini album journals. Be sure to check this out. Full project instructions can be viewed by clicking here. Don't forget the metal can be die cut!

Hello from Michigan!!! WOW it's cold outside!!! I'm taking a breather and thought I'd blog a bit about today's events. As I had mentioned before I worked with a great team of ladies and one guy training them on the In's and out's of working with AMACO's ArtEmboss Metals and WireForm mesh's. We also made some roses from Craft Porcelain. This material is not really porcelain at all, rather is an airdry clay that is easy to use, dries in about 24 hours to a porcelain like finish. It can be painted, watercolored, stamped, Rub N Buffed....nearly anything your imagination can think of. Check out my website for more information for tips and tricks in working with it. You can also order it from my website as well. This medium is a favorite among the Carol Duvall viewers and one of my most responded to shows. I also have project sheets from the show to give you a jump start.

Next we were off to a Glass and Art supply store...OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! What a treat - can you say...Dichroic?? in any color imagined...okay, so I dont do dichroic- YET!! But this shop sure did inspire me.!!! Full of supplies for working with PMC, textures galore- this shop was a treat - not so much for the credit card...it said..OUCH!!! Then totally non-work related....we went to Burlington Coat Factory. We don' t have those in Southern Missouri - my kinda store. Can you believe I bought 3 handbags??? I've never bought three handbags at one time before. They really inspired me. I've noticed lots of RED expecially when wearing denim. I purchased a red handbag with plans on adding some decorative beaded handbag charms. (I think I'll go get those sassy red checked wedge shoes at Target that match!) The denim handbag will have a southwestern feel when I finish with it and the linen one...well I just plain needed a new handbag that goes with everything. I didnt spend over $16 for any of the handbags. I love being able to take something, add a little embellishment and call it a DESIGNER! Dont you?Be sure to email me with your thoughts, creative ideas or share your designer creations!!!Going back to warmer weather in the morning!!! .....so long..... (and to my hubby Dana - handbags? what handbags? !) - guess he'll find out about the handbags tomorrow....ssshhhh!???

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Thought I'd share a couple of quick techniques and give you a sneak peek before I leave to do a sales training for one of the major craft distributors. We will be using AMACO's ArtEmboss Metal and WireForm Metal mesh. Metal is HOT for scrapbooking and paper crafts and comes in larger sheets for big projects or smaller card size sheets (called Keepsakes & Cards) for papercraft projects. By combining the metals and mesh's with the Big Kick (TM) die cut machine from Sizzix you have everything you need to create QUICK & trendy embellishments. If you are like me - always waiting till the last second, these projects are for you. You can literally make in 10 minutes or less.

For an artistic flair - heat copper with heat gun to reveal random colors. BE CAREFUL COPPER WILL GET EXTREMELY HOT and burn ya! Then use a Metal Stamp Art Pad to stamp your favorite collage of images. These make great tags to embellish. Great for Altered Arts too!

Texture can be added to metal thru the pasta machine. Place metal between a sandwich of craft foam and texture plates on a thin setting (#2 on AMACO machine).

Texture can be distressed by lightly sanding off color or using 92% rubbing alcohol to remove portions of color

Paint textured metal - allow to dry then sand to distress

Use brass stencils to emboss or deboss metal

Color metal with Jacquard Pinata alcohol based inks and a make up sponge.

Paint Embossed areas with metallic paint such as Lumiere by Jacquard (works great when using a toothpick)

Faux Enamel: Add Pearl Ex powders (also from Jacquard) to Fimo Liquid Gel then use a toothpick to paint in recessed areas of the stencil

This card is similar to the above with the exception of using a Sizzix metal embossing stencil thru the Big Kick. Directions for using these stencils come with the big kick. Embellish with Flower die cuts or your favorite charms.

Once the metal was embossed, I slightly sanded the surface to reveal the silver underneath. This is a great technique for highlighting.

I'll chat with you again when I get back. In the meantime, dont forget to check out my website for tips and techniques in using Fimo polymer clay. Check out my Project of the Month Club CD Roms too- they're packed full of fun whimsical projects that have never been published!!!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

WHEW!! What a whirlwind of a month this is shaping up to be. Just now I'm finally able to take a few minutes to update you on what's happened this past couple of weeks.

Teen Camp Rainbow was held March 9-11. As you've probably read from the past blog's this camp is for teens 13+ who have had to deal with life threatening illnesses. The theme of this year's camp (and I hope I get this right...sorry Ronnie if I didnt - correct me please...) was "Experiencing Joy and Life thru the Arts". As you may have guessed, this was the perfect opportunity for 45 St. Louis area teens to experience the "Joy of Art". The program began with an explanation of how Bottles of Hope began and a few tips on how to make this a fun experience for them. I stressed that the most important thing was to have fun and just let their creativity flow. Each teen also received their own bottle to keep from those that were received during AMACO's Bottles of Clay Designer Challenge. I wish you could have been there to see first hand the look on their faces when they opened their packages.....Faces were speechless...mouths dropped open and a few said..."WHOA - This is so cool!". I was very touched at the appreciation these teens reflected for this gift! Ronnie Brockman, founder of Camp Rainbow stressed the importance of each of them "giving forward" meaning it's important to give without expectation of getting anything in return. This phrase was reinforced throught the evening and weekend.

Fimo polymer clay and other supplies were donated by AMACO. Each teen received two blocks of clay in their favorite colors. I supplied a variety of miscellaneous supplies like rubberstamps and molds to help them with their creativity, gave them a few tips on how to cover their jars and set them free.... I was especially amazed to see the boys really get into this. Even the staff jumped in as well. All in all it was a fanstastic experience for all involved and Im sure the bottle each of them received will be a wonderful keepsake and memory to cherish for years to come.. Enjoy the pictures!!

Friday, March 9, 2007

I've just returned to the my studio after taping video segments for AC Moore at Beechwood Studio's in Ohio. I'm not sure what it is about me and Cleveland - but this was the 3rd time in a row that I've been there and it snowed 4 inches. Okay...so not a big deal to everyone who lives up north - but Im a Missouri girl and we had 70 degree weather the day I left. BRRRRRRRRR!!!

It was great to hangout with a few of my "crafty diva friends" - Julianna Hudgins of Ellison, Julie McGuffee - host of Scrapbook Memories and our AC Moore Hostess- Renee Sparks (that's Renee and I below in our AC Moore aprons). I always look forward to the "girl" time and getting some inspiration from the industry's best designers!

Look for new videos featuring Needle Felted Purse Kits from Dimensions, Craft and Hobby Organizing Solutions from Scrapbook Solutions ( ladies, this organizing system is way cool...you need this for that "DREAM STUDIO" you always wanted....as a matter of fact...I need this organizing system for my studio! Did I mention that it's very affordable too?) and Beautiful Natural Shell, Bone and Wood Jewelry featuring beads from World of Beads to go online early in April 07.

Today, I head to St. Louis for the CAMP RAINBOW - Bottles of Hope Teen Workshop. I'll have the opportunity to expose the teens to the world of polymer clay as they design their own Bottle of Hope and attach their personal note inside. They will also receive their own Bottle of Hope from donations received from the CHA Bottles of Hope Designer challenge held in late January at CHA in Aneheim, CA.

Camp Rainbow is totally devoted to Teen's who have undergone or are currently undergoing treatment for cancer or other life threatening diseases. It's a wonderful way for them to escape for a while and just enjoy life! For more information on Camp Rainbow, click here.

Look for Camp Rainbow photo's in my next post! Also, be sure to check out my website for tips and techniques and projects! Linda Peterson Designs

Monday, March 5, 2007

I just have to share with you what I received on Saturday! I couldn't wait to work with these beautiful beads from India. This line of beads called "World of Beads" can be found at AC Moore stores.

These beads are a beautiful mix of natural shell and wood and contain a variety of focal pieces. I've used traditional beading wire to create three individual necklaces. Then I twisted them together for this trendy look. I also placed small wooden beads onto stretch cord and wrapped thru the hole in the focal piece. The focal piece can be easily slid off for a different look.

The new AC Moore videos will uplink sometime in April. Be sure to check back for information about viewing these videos for more beading ideas.